TRB will conduct a webinar on Wednesday, July 11, 2018, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM ET that discusses the relationship between the use of accelerated bridge construction (ABC) techniques and general seismic design performance, methods, and criteria. ABC is possible by using prefabricated components.  In order for the prefabricated component connections to maintain their strength under large cyclic deformations, it may be required to deviate from current seismic design codes for cast-in-place construction. This webinar will provide an overview and lessons learned from several studies that include different emulative connections in columns, piers, and bridge systems. The presenters will also introduce materials and techniques that may allow seismic designs to perform better than conventional designs.

This webinar was organized by the TRB Standing Committee on Seismic Design and Performance of Bridges.

Some registrants will need to pay $95 to attend this webinar.  Sign into MyTRB.org to view registration information.

Webinar Presenters

• Lee Marsh, BergerABAM
• Mehdi Saiidi, University of Nevada, Reno
• John Stanton, University of Washington

Moderated by:  Elmer Marx, State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

Webinar Outline 

1. Seismic bridge design philosophy and principles
2. Mechanical connections located in and adjacent to plastic hinge regions and their impact on the plastic deformation capacity of bridge columns
3. Materials and techniques that may be used to improve seismic performance, including design features
4. Question and answer session

The first 90 minutes of the webinar will be for presentations and the final 30 minutes will be reserved for audience questions. The Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP) categorizes this webinar activity as relating to health, safety, and welfare including core technical.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Understand seismic bridge design philosophy used as the basis of bridge design specifications
• Describe the challenges associated with ABC connections in high seismic regions
• Describe the effects that mechanical couplers may have on plastic deformation capacity of bridge columns
• Identify some of the novel materials and techniques available to improve seismic bridge response

Professional Development Hour Information

A certificate for 2.0 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) will be provided to Professional Engineers (PEs) who register and attend the webinar as an individual. For groups, only the person that registers and attends the session will receive a PDH certificate. Certificates of Completion will be issued only to individuals who register for and attend the entire webinar session.

Individuals registered as Florida PEs are no longer required to email TRB with your license number to report your attendance. Instead, please use your certificate that TRB provides through RCEP.net as verification of your attendance to the Florida Board of Professional Engineers.

Please check with your licensing board to ensure that TRB webinar PDHs are approved by your board.

This webinar was developed in October 2017. TRB has met the standards and requirements of the Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP). Credit earned on completion of this program will be reported to RCEP by TRB. Complaints about registered providers may be sent to RCEP, 1015 15th Street, NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20005. Website: www.RCEP.net.

Registration questions? Contact Reggie Gillum at RGillum@nas.edu.